Tired of rumormongering regarding mediocre quarterbacks? Then it was a good day to be a Knick fan! Phil Jackson manifested in Los Angeles and spoke about Kurt Rambis, Carmelo Anthony, hypothetical future Knicks, and Kristaps Porzingis. Of course, Phil basically never does what he says he's leaning toward or what others speculate he'll do, so take this with a grain of pink free-trade-bartered organically-harvested sea salt.
Phil Jackson speaking to media here in LA. pic.twitter.com/exIjo1AIYP
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
Is Phil cutting and running before his contract expires?
Phil, on whether he'll stay for full 5 yrs of his contract: "I'm still in it. And I'm in it to win it."
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
If it rhymes, it's gotta be true.
What's the status of Kurt Rambis and the head coaching gig?
Reply hazy. Try again.
Phil, on whether Rambis may get job full-time: He's capable of handling job, but has to see whether the Knicks do well enough moving forward
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
But it ain't easy being cheesy.
Phil acknowledged that there's a bit of an odd dynamic at play, bc Kurt/any interim guy clearly wants job full-time, but can't burn out...
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
certain guys in trying to do so. Says Kurt has to do what's best for the team, and that he's said he will do that
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
So in other words...nobody knows anything.
The Melo status hot-potato game continues unabated:
Phil, on whether he's talked w Melo, and whether he's still a cornerstone of the team. "Yes. And yes."
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
Phil, on Melo potentially being traded: "That's entirely up to Carmelo. ... That's in his lap" bc of his no-trade clause.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
Phil said he is confident Carmelo wants to stay with the Knicks.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) March 11, 2016
The Knicks want somebody impactful this summer via free agency, but like last year, it might not be one big somebody
Phil Jackson says he hopes to add more than 1 player in free agency this summer. Max player would take up most of pic.twitter.com/InWQNpPakY
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 11, 2016
Asked Phil whether its become clear that triangle needs more dynamic PG, given way league has changed. Phil gives 3-4 min response & says...
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
... he won't get caught up in PG obsession that everyone else has right now, and that team is engaged in "underground" process to find one
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
... including guard Tony Wroten, whom he says may not be able to play this season due to his knee. But will play in summer league.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
Asked Phil abt his feeling on upgrading PG spot in free agency this summer. Gave long response to explain philosophy pic.twitter.com/Llo3xfvgwK
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
How, if at all, has the Rambis era progressed beyond the Fisher epoch?
Phil, on Rambis: We have a relationship to where he calls me, or where I call him, to get/give advice. Didn't have that as much w Fisher
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
... bc he felt he had to give Fisher w the space to have true autonomy.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) March 11, 2016
One thing separating the interim from the ex-:
Phil says Kurt found a rotation while Fisher didn't.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) March 11, 2016
And finally, from the Department of Duh: the underweight rookie whose minutes have more than doubled already may be tired...
Phil Jackson called Kristaps Porzingis a "phenom" but acknowledged that the rookie has hit a wall at this point. pic.twitter.com/7y2V38I8Dd
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 11, 2016
But he's still awesome.
Kurt Rambis on Kristaps Porzingis: "I think his potential is unlimited."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 11, 2016
It damn well better be.